Step 25: Video Stuff

Step 18: Measuring for Cradle Sides Anchor

Decide which end you want to be the front then measure the 1st mark 2" from front of cradle @1-3/8" in from side. 2nd Mark 8" from front of cradle @1-3/8" in from side. Mark the opposite side of cradle on the same face with two more marks at the same measurements.

this, unfortunately, reminds me of a recent project one of my friends made in an engineering class. the objective was to play cornhole from a series of distances using a machine we build in class. his team's original design was to use varying amounts of weight and a system of pulleys to accelerate a cornhole bag forward. however, as the build time in class progressed, they spent more time than anticipated building the frame. with only a few days of building left, they ended up strapping a barrel from one of last years' projects to the frame and took some scrap surgical tubing and exercise bands and basically made this design. it... didn't go to well. this design isn't made for accuracy (they basically guessed on all the calibration.) they came in last place. (we, on the other hand, built a catapult as precisely as possible, and ended up coming in second place.)

Once it is dialed in I can put tennis balls in a 50 gallon drum at 35 yards consistently. As long as the bands don't get twisted during loading it stays very accurate.

<p>If you only used 2 bands, and used looped bands, making it more a less a regular slingshot inside the tube, accuracy and power would be better</p>

the problem with theirs was that they tried to jam too much rubber into a tube that was too small. the rubber actually caught on the edges of the barrel, and cause innacuracies. (also, dialing it in was impossible, because they had no way to do that. like I said, they were just guessing.)

<p>are there any videos showing how to launch this? Also, what does the launching cord on step 8 do? also, would it work in a smaller sized pipe?</p>

The launch cord is used to dislodge the knot from that slot you cut in the back of the cannon. As for a smaller barrel I think it would depend on what you wanted to shoot from it. There is not alot of space inside the barrel and things sometimes get snagged, but there is one way to find out. Good Luck!

<p>what is the speed of this thing and can it be used as a bowling machine, btw where are the videos</p>

dose the slingshot cannon hurt if you get shot by it?

Not really as long as you only use tennis balls but if you lengthen the rubber tubing it will reduce the velocity.

How is the range of this t hing?

Its accurate to about 35yds. You can crank it up a little more but be careful when the bands snap it hurts.

these r great for throwing newspapers at 2 am

one wonders if you could make one large enough to do the entire paper route from your backyard.

Yes!!! I love it! When you can get it from the road to the kitchen table in one shot. Just add 1 or 2 more bands and you can get the Sunday paper moving

I'm totally going to use this design and make a more modern-type cannon and use it for airsoft &gt;:D <br>Thank you very much!

great. must make this on a smaller scale...

How do you shoot it? <br>

Original - Looks like fun

Thank you, they are a lot of fun. Especially when firing at an inflatable pirate ship in a pond!

awesome! That cannon looks so cool!

Thank you. And if you are indeed the kaptain kool from halo perhaps we will do battle again some day! Muahahaha later

Perhaps...

I would love to see a video tutorial on this! It's just a bit hard to see whats going on, which isn't your fault, because its hard to get all the angles without having like 50 photos. Or maybe a video with the test fire? :)

Hmm I will see what I can do with the angles. Firing I think I can do that.

wow

Thank you! The wood burning really gives it character

i really love the look<br>

looks rly fun to use

Oh it is. I'm not sure who had more fun using them the counselors or the kids!

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Awesome! I am getting hooked on this instructables thing. I am finishing the cradle explanation, I hope to have it done by tomorrow.

Thank you for your awesome tutorial, i'll add a link to the article when the translation is complete.

How far does it go?

It fires a tennis ball about 35yds but if you get the surgical tubing all the way back it goes a bit further.

If you go to a health-related supply business for your surgical tubing, they have various 'strengths' (think resistance) of this stuff used for physical therapy purposes. I think it is available under the trade name &quot;Thera-Tube&quot; or something similar. (Black is the strongest I think) Wal-Mart or sporting goods stores may carry exercise equipment that uses the tubing too. It's easier &amp; cheaper than whacking up your Doctors stethescope. You might also try using a 3/8&quot; (or larger) wood dowel inserted in the ends of the tubing in place of tying knots, this would make a neater installation. Don't forget to deburr the 3/8&quot; holes inside the barrel, PVC can easily cut the tubing after a few firings

Cool. I had 26 feet of latex tubing left to play with. The second version of the cannons I drilled two holes in line with each other and put the knots on the inside of the barrel that really cleaned the look up. Deburring will be added to the ible steps thanks for the catch.

Very Cool! <br> <br>I had an idea similar to this, sort of a water-balloon bazooka. It never got built because I couldn't figure out the trigger mechanism, or how to keep the balloon from rubbing on the walls of the tube. I may take that idea out of the dead-projects file and take another look at it.

I made something that fired water balloons awhile ago to keep it from hitting the sides of the barrel I put it in a large Dixie cup. It helped even out the air on the balloon as well. Caution though it puts holes in plastic fun houses. Later and thanks for the awesome comment!